Sept. 3, 2025
The Academies of Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) and Mills University Studies High School welcomed Lexicon, Inc. leadership to speak with students on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The visit underscored Lexicon and PCSSD’s united mission: to empower every student with the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to turn ambition into achievement at college and/or careers.
Director of PCSSD Academies Kristen Herring kicked off the program by tracing the roots of the district’s collaboration with Lexicon. Over the last three years, Lexicon has been a valuable contributor to the academies of Mills University Studies High School (MUSHS) by providing Lexicon virtual welding trips for students to participate in simulations.
Herring told students there is more to come through the partnership, “I’ve also been able to meet with the welding staff in order to plan for experiences for those of you that are in the marketing, multidisciplinary studies, advertising, graphic design and AV tech and film pathways because they are able as a company to help provide experiences for you to see what careers look like in those fields as well.”
Patrick Schueck, CEO of Lexicon, Inc., took time away from his responsibilities to inspire students.
“I will assure you if you show up on time, you come prepared to work, you come prepared to learn and you come prepared to create, you’ll do amazing,” Schueck said. “If you take everything that you’ve learned here through this program, whether you are going to be a welder, whether you’re going to be a fitter, whether you’re going to be an accountant, and you apply those things, it will change the trajectory in your life.”
Lexicon signed as an academy partnership this spring and agreed to provide a teacher externship for welding instructor Robert Moseley, where he was able to take classes and prepare for the training of students in the welding facility that Lexicon provides.
Lexicon Quality Director Tony Wallace presented a special certificate of achievement to Moseley, noting that Moseley spent weeks of his own time to achieve the feat.
MUSHS ambassador and senior student Celeste Wilson called the academy partnership with Lexicon a “game-changer.”
“While we’re crushing our regular classes, Lexicon is teaching us the stuff that’s actually going to matter when we graduate,” Wilson said. “We’re talking coding, digital skills and solving problems that don’t have answers in the back of a textbook. The coolest part? They don’t treat us like kids. Lexicon is actually listening to our ideas and lets us work on real projects. I’ve seen friends who thought they weren’t good at anything suddenly become total tech wizards or amazing presenters. And honestly, this makes us look incredible when we apply to colleges.”
MUSHS Principal Damian Patterson closed the event before the academy students enjoyed treats and swag courtesy of Lexicon and had the chance to mingle with Mr. Schueck, district leaders and their peers.
“We are at a place, young people, where we haven’t been before. Mills’ growth trajectory is changing, and it’s changing because of you, the work that you’re doing,” Patterson said. “People are beginning to recognize that we are not the Old Mills high school, that we are something different, and that is because of the work that you’re doing.”
About Mills University Studies High School
Mills University Studies High School is located in the southeast quadrant of Pulaski County. Our state-of-the-art facilities are attractive and reputable. We anticipate great opportunities for our stakeholders in all areas, and the sky’s the limit for our students.
